The Crucible
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By Maria Ariadne
The Crucible is a play by Arthur Miller, written and first performed in 1953. This tragedy presents the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 by showing the reader the distraught and corrupt society of that time as well as how it led to the deaths of dozens of innocents. However, Miller wrote this play in response to the accusations made against him and many others by the House Un-American Activities Committee and most importantly, by his friend, Elia Kazan. Thus, using his book he likened the witch hunts to how the HUAC were looking for communists.
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The play starts by presenting the town of Salem, in Massachusetts, where a young girl called Betty was apparently bewitched. Her father, Reverent Parris starts to question Abigail, his niece, about the activities she and some other girls were doing at night in the woods. As a matter of fact, he had surprised the girls dancing around a fire and chanting while some of them were naked. At first, Abigail denies everything and tries to pass of their actions as simply dancing, but after a while she blames Tituba, a slave from Barbados, by saying that she called up spirits. However, the reader is let in on the fact that the girls were trying to do sorcery, and that Abigail went as far as to drink blood to kill the wife of John Procor with who she had a relationship. She also blackmails the girls so that they don’t admit to anything. With the news of witchcraft going around the village a supposed professional, Reverend Hale, is called to get rid of it.
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During the second act, which takes place at the Proctors’ household, we learn more about their relationship, which was weakened due to John’s unfaithfulness. Elizabeth Proctor had fired Abigail, who used to work for them, however they both try to avoid the subject. The two characters start talking about the trials, how dozens of women were accused of witchcraft and that those who didn’t admit to it are to be hanged. Mary Warren, a girl who now works for the Proctors, comes back from town and announces that many more were accused including Elizabeth. Later, she is arrested by court officials with sole proof of her guilt, a poppet given to her by Mary which had a pin stabbed into it. In fact, Abigail stabbed herself in the same spot and announced it was sorcery.
John, disgraced by the accusations made against his wife, convinces Mary to admit that the girls were faking the whole story. However, his plan backfired as people saw him question the authority of the judges and he was accused of wanting to overthrow the court. This led to him being questioned about the Ten Commandments but having forgotten the one that says that people must not commit adultery John aroused suspicion and the court decided to test him and his wife, who was known to never lie. Elizabeth was taken out of the room and he admitted to having an affair with Abigail, however, when his wife was asked if he was a lecher, she decided to lie for him so judge Danforth dismisses the claim. Abigail starts to act as if she’s being bewitched by Mary Warren, who, fearing for her safety, says John Proctor works with Satan. This ultimately led to him being arrested, however Hale also starts to believe him.
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Finally, Act 4 focuses on John Proctor and the efforts that were made to save the town after such a disaster. Abigail, who started the whole catastrophe stole all Reverend Parris’ money and run off. Salem starts to look like a ghost town as the people are either dead or in jail. Reverend Hale believes John is innocent and Elizabeth and he try to convince him to admit to witchcraft which would save his life. At first, he decides to do so however, upon thinking about how it would ruin his reputation, he decides he would rather die an honourable death rather than be shamed for something he didn’t. Like many others he is hanged however he found it in himself to forgive himself for his actions and died relatively happy.
To conclude, the Crucible is a play that presents the story of Salem and how the people brought destruction and misery upon themselves. It can also be seen that Miller argues against theocracy and the power of the church in governmental issues.
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